DEBORAH and JAEL JUDGES 4 Lesson # 31 BIBLE REFERENCE

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

DEBORAH and JAEL JUDGES 4 Lesson # 31 BIBLE REFERENCE This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA DEBORAH AND JAEL JUDGES 4 Lesson # 31 BIBLE REFERENCE: (The book of Judges) BOOK OF STUDY: Judges Season of Study: Season of Bringing the Savior into the world HISTORY The book of Judges belongs to the history section of the Old Testament. Judges is a period in the Season of Bringing the Messiah into the world. The book is believed to be authored by Samuel, the last Judge and the first prophet in Israel. 1 The book covers a period of approximately 430 years in the history of Israel as a people. There was no national leader during the time of the Judges, such as Moses and Joshua. Leadership was local from each tribe as needed, with God raising up leadership to address problems arising among individual tribes. Without a national leader the Children of Israel were required to depend solely upon the Almighty. During the period of the Judges, we witness the worse in men, but also the (Amazing) grace and love of God for His people. The period of the Judges not only allows us to witness the failure among the people of God, but also the faithfulness of the God who chose them to bring the Savior, or Messiah, into the world. INTRODUCTION Strong women have always figured into the plan of the Almighty. It has been said at times, “God used women only when there were no men to carry out God’s intended purpose.” However, that is not necessarily true! The lesson for the morning, disclosing women at the forefront of God’s work in Israel’s occupation of the land of Canaan, will show that these women are not there because of the scarcity or lack of males being present and available. These women, Deborah and Jael, are there because of their God given gift, and the guts and courage to use that which God has blessed them with for the glory of the Almighty God. It is imperative for the student to understand that in God’s bringing the Messiah into the world, God justly or rightly used male and female, women and men. Paul, in writing to the Church at Galatia, says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3: 28 – 29). THE PRINTED TEXT – (Judges 4:1 – 9; 15 - 24) And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead. 2 2 And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. 3 And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. 4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. 8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. And the Lord discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. 16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. 17 Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 3 18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. 19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. 20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. 21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 22 And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. 23 So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. 24 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. EXPLORING THE PRINTED TEXT I. The Encourager – (Judges 4: 1 – 9) Deborah, of all the judges in Israel, is the only judge who adjudicated or judged Israel in the sense of one who examined, refereed, or decided between opposing parties. Deborah was gifted by God as a “prophetess.” The scripture says, “a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.” The text says of her, “She dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” In God’s purpose, Deborah was not only to adjudicate between parties, Deborah was gifted to judge and tell the Children of Israel what God was saying to them. 4 After the death of Ehud, God sold Israel into the hands of Jabin for their sins. Jabin oppressed them for twenty years and God raised up Deborah, the prophetess, to deliver Israel. It is said of Deborah, “she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.” Deborah inspires Barak by assuring him her message comes from the Almighty. Deborah says to him, “Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying.” She assures Barak what she shared with him came from the Almighty God. Every person truly led by God will acknowledge up front God’s leading of them and will take no credit themselves. Deborah instructs Barak with the details of his mission from God. Her instructions to Barak were, “Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?” Not all of Israel would be involved in this battle, just the tribes of Naphtali, and Zebulun. Deborah informs Barak that Sisera, the general in charge of Jabin’s army, would be delivered into the hands of Israel by a woman. Deborah, speaking for God, said, “The journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Surprisingly, the woman who would defeat Sisera would not be Deborah. Deborah nor Barak would receive the honor of striking the death blow to Sisera. Barak, at Deborah’s command, was reluctant to go and engage the army of Jabin. He insisted however, that Deborah accompany him to the 5 battle. He said to her, “If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go” (Judges 4:8). Barak is insistent that Deborah go with him to the battle, as the voice of God. He seems to say to Deborah, “If you don’t go, then God will not be with us.” Being a man of faith, Barak understood that the Almighty was not speaking to and through him but, it was necessary, and if they were to defeat Sisera, then the presence of God was needed on the field of battle.
Recommended publications
  • The Book of Judges Lesson One Introduction to the Book
    The Book of Judges Lesson One Introduction to the Book by Dr. John L. May I. The Historical Background - Authorship Dates of the events of the book are uncertain. It is a book about and to the children of Israel (Judges 1:1). Since the book is a continuation of history following the book of Joshua, many scholars believe that it was written after the death of Joshua (after 1421 BC). However, others think that it was written even later than this, for Judges 18:1 and 19:1 imply that there was a king in Israel at the time of writing. That would necessitate a date of 1095 BC or later. If you base your belief upon Judges 1:21, 29, a date of approximately 1000 BC would be a date that would place its writing during the time of Samuel and the reign of the kings. This would tie in nicely with the Jewish tradition that the author was Samuel. There is neither an inspired statement nor an implication as to the place of composition To determine the time span involved in this book, it is unlikely that the years each judge is said to have ruled could be added together, for the total would exceed 490 years. However, Wesley states in his notes on the Book of Judges that the total is only 299 years. The reason for this is that their years of service may coincide or overlap with the years of some or other of the judges and this allows Wesley to arrive at his figure.
    [Show full text]
  • Deborah Obeys
    Lesson50:LKT 4/14/10 9:49 AM Page 430 Listen to Learn Lesson 50 Judges 4:1-16; 5:4,20-21 Collect Bible, Bible Story 20 pictures from God’s Story for Me Poster Pack #2, Preschool Music #2 DVD or CD God’s Word and player. Deborah “Hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 Greet Each Other Listen carefully to my clapping. Begin by God’s Word and Me clapping a rhythmObeys of four beats. Children echo I can obey God’s Word. the rhythm. Continue for a few moments, chang- ing the rhythm and/or increasing the number of beats each round. YouGod are good listeners! Tell the Story Open your Bible Judgesto Judges 4. Tell 4:1-16 the story using the pictured motions (keywords in bold) or show Bible Story 20 pictures. What happens in a very big rainstorm? Listen to hear what happened to God’s people during a very big rainstorm. Deborah was a woman who loved God and listened to Him. God told Deborah mes- sages to give to His people. God loved His people, but they were not listening to Him. They were not obeying Him. They were not praying. Because they disobeyed God, the people had big trouble! An army with many strong soldiers and 900 chariots wanted to fight them! (A chariot is a cart pulled by a horse.) The leader of the army was named Sisera. Finally, the people of Israel remembered to pray to God. God gave Deborah a mes- sage for a man named Barak.
    [Show full text]
  • Beshalach (When He Sent)
    An Introduction to the Parashat HaShavuah (Weekly Torah Portion) Understanding the Torah From a Thematic Perspective Beshalach (When He Sent) By Tony Robinson Copyright © 2003 (5764) by Tony Robinson, Restoration of Torah Ministries. All rights reserved. —The Family House of Study— Examining the Parashat HaShavuah by Thematic Analysis Welcome to Mishpachah Beit Midrash, the Family House of Study. Each Shabbat1 we gather in our home and study the Scriptures, specifically the Torah.2 It’s a fun time of receiving revelation from the Ruach HaKodesh3. Everyone joins in—adults and children—as we follow the Parashat HaShavuah4 schedule. We devote ourselves to studying the Torah because the Torah is the foundation for all of Scripture. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the Torah will help us more fully understand the rest of the Tanakh5 and the Brit Chadasha.6 Furthermore, as Yeshua stated Himself, the Torah teaches about Him. So we study the Torah in order to be drawn closer to Yeshua, the goal of the Torah. As believers in the Messiah we have discovered the richness of the wisdom of the sages of Israel. These men, who devoted themselves to the study of the Torah, have left us a rich heritage. Part of that heritage is a unique method of learning and interpreting the Scriptures. It’s called thematic analysis. In thematic analysis we search for the underlying theme/topic of each passage of Scripture. By studying Scriptures related by a common theme, line upon line and precept upon precept, the Scriptures open up to us in a unique manner that is clearly inspired by the Ruach HaKodesh.
    [Show full text]
  • Shabbat Shalom
    " SHABBAT SHALOM. Today is 15 Shevat 5777. neglect the Torah. Hence it was necessary to travel in Today is Shabbat Shirah due to the Song of Praise the desert, within a non-material environment, with all in the Haftorah and in the Torah portions. It is also physical needs divinely provided. They could now Tu B’Shevat when we customarily eat fruit. We become inspired with the Torah. The Rambam (Guide omit Av HaRachamim. for the Perplexed 3:24) also felt that the 40-year sojourn in the wilderness was necessary to educate the Jews into becoming more self-confident and spiritually Mazel Tov to Jakob Zvi upon today’s celebration of strong. They needed time to lose the slave mentality his Bar Mitzvah. Mazel Tov to Jakob’s parents that was drummed into them from their experience as Elliott & Sheri Zvi, grandparents Charlie & Lily slaves. Zablotsky and Zion & Marilyn Zvi, and to the entire family. 3. Why does the Torah say that Bnei Yisrael believed in Hashem and in His servant Moshe? (14:31). It seems strange to equate Hashem and Moshe, and to say that TORAH DIALOGUE the people believed in them both. The same (p. 265 Hz) (p. 407 S) (p. 262 Hi) (p. 366 AS) combination of words, "in Hashem and in Moshe" BESHALACH occurs in one other place (Bamidbar 21:5) and there, Exodus 13:17 too, Rashi notes the incongruity when the people [Compiled by Rabbi Edward Davis (RED) complain against "Hashem and Moshe" that they Young Israel of Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale] should have remained in Egypt.
    [Show full text]
  • Most Common Jewish First Names in Israel Edwin D
    Names 39.2 (June 1991) Most Common Jewish First Names in Israel Edwin D. Lawson1 Abstract Samples of men's and women's names drawn from English language editions of Israeli telephone directories identify the most common names in current usage. These names, categorized into Biblical, Traditional, Modern Hebrew, and Non-Hebrew groups, indicate that for both men and women over 90 percent come from Hebrew, with the Bible accounting for over 70 percent of the male names and about 40 percent of the female. Pronunciation, meaning, and Bible citation (where appropriate) are given for each name. ***** The State of Israel represents a tremendous opportunity for names research. Immigrants from traditions and cultures as diverse as those of Yemen, India, Russia, and the United States have added their onomastic contributions to the already existing Jewish culture. The observer accustomed to familiar first names of American Jews is initially puzzled by the first names of Israelis. Some of them appear to be biblical, albeit strangely spelled; others appear very different. What are these names and what are their origins? Benzion Kaganoffhas given part of the answer (1-85). He describes the evolution of modern Jewish naming practices and has dealt specifi- cally with the change of names of Israeli immigrants. Many, perhaps most, of the Jews who went to Israel changed or modified either personal or family name or both as part of the formation of a new identity. However, not all immigrants changed their names. Names such as David, Michael, or Jacob required no change since they were already Hebrew names.
    [Show full text]
  • When God Says Go and What More Shall I Say? I Do Not Have Time to Tell About Gideon, Barak…
    When God Says Go And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak… Hebrews 11:32 The next two heroes that we come to in Hebrews 11 may be less familiar to you and me. They aren’t really stories that you’ll find in the children’s picture Bibles on your kids’ shelves, but the writer of Hebrews commends them for their faith. Gideon’s and Barak’s stories both start the same way – with the Israelites again doing evil in the eyes of the Lord (Judges 4:1, 6:1). It’s a fairly common occurrence in the Old Testament, actually. The Lord gives the Israelites chance after chance after chance to follow His law, but they keep messing it up – by worshipping other gods and disobeying direct commandments from God. During Barak’s time in the spotlight, Deborah, a prophetess, is leading Israel. The Lord had handed the Israelites over to the Canaanites because of their wickedness, and after twenty years of oppression, they cried out to the Lord for help. Read Judges 4:6-4:10 If the Israelites had learned anything over the years, it should have been this: when God says that He will do something, He will do it. God said He would bring the people out of slavery in Egypt, and He did, by parting the Red Sea. He said He would give the Israelites the Promised Land, and He bulldozed the way for them, even tearing down the walls of Jericho and giving them victory over all of those in their way.
    [Show full text]
  • Christine Marchetti Hebrew Bible II May 7, 2015
    WOMEN PROPHETS IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Christine Marchetti Hebrew Bible II May 7, 2015 Marchetti 1 I. Introduction Abraham Heschel’s masterpiece, The Prophets, inspires a sense of holy envy in those who seek an intimate relationship with God. If the prophets themselves do not stir such an emotion, Heschel’s brilliant insight into their hearts and minds surely will. But for women, the sense of envy may be heightened by the fact that the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures form a category that largely excludes women. The aim of this paper is to study the female prophets in the Hebrew Bible. Until recently, prophetesses in ancient Israel received little scholarly attention.1 A close examination of the biblical text, as well as the story behind the text, may help modern readers, who stand in front of the text,2 better appreciate the phenomenon. We will begin by defining prophet and prophecy. Then, each of the female prophets named in the Hebrew Bible will be discussed, with attention paid to the ways biblical writers, redactors, and commentators have minimized their impact. Other women in the text who performed prophetic activities will be identified, and this paper will conclude with a personal reflection on female prophecy in ancient Israel. II. What is a Prophet and what is Prophecy? The Hebrew word for prophet is nābî’, from the verb nābā’, “to call.” A nābî’ is one who is called by God. The feminine form of nābî’ is nebî’ah, “female prophet” or “prophetess.” The 1 Few book-length studies of female prophets in the Hebrew Bible exist, and feminist scholars often discuss women prophets in ancient Israel only in relation to other concerns.
    [Show full text]
  • Four Lessons from Four Men – Mentioned in One Verse Hebrews 11:32 - Barak, Gideon, Samson and Jephthah
    Four Lessons from Four Men – mentioned in one verse Hebrews 11:32 - Barak, Gideon, Samson and Jephthah God can use flawed people to do great things Judg 6:14-15 - Gideon thought he was unqualified to lead God’s people since his family was the _______________________ in Manasseh, and he was the _______________________ in his family. Judg 11:1-3 - Jephthah was the son of two _______________________. He was driven out of town by his own half-brothers. Judg 14:1-3 - Samson fell in love with _______________________ women. (see Deut 7:1-5) God is patient while our faith grows Judg 4:8 - After Debra told Barak that God would deliver the Canaanites into his hand, he set a _____________________ on going into battle. Make no mistake about it… this was bad! God determined that Barak wouldn’t receive glory for the victory, but he still used him to defeat the Canaanites and _____________________ His people from severe oppression. Judg 6:17-18; Judg 6:36-40; Judg 7:9-16 - Gideon _____________________ for three proofs that he was really the one God was going to use to deliver His people. God was patient enough to _____________________ Gideon a fourth sign, and he needed it. God Requires Life Giving Faith Judg 4:14-16 - Even though Barak would only go to battle if Deborah went with him, he still had enough faith to go to battle and _____________________ destroy Sisera’s army. Judg 7:15-18 - Gideon had enough faith to refer to a _____________________ victory in _____________________ tense.
    [Show full text]
  • 7.17.16-Sermon-Notes
    UnStable Unqualified: Part 3 7.10.16 – New Life Church Pastor Nick Benson Hebrews 11:32-34(ESV) How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. I am ______________________? Exodus 20:7(ESV) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. In Him I am ______________________. I. 5 pillars of Stability. A. Emotions. B. Committment. C. Ambition. D. Relationships. E. Belief. Judges 16:26 (NIV) Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them. Judges 16:29 (NIV) Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other… UnStable Unqualified: Part 3 7.10.16 – New Life Church Pastor Nick Benson Hebrews 11:32-34(ESV) How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.
    [Show full text]
  • Deborah and Barak TEACHER BIBLE STUDY the Time of the Judges Continued After the Death of Ehud
    1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 9, Session 2: Deborah and Barak TEACHER BIBLE STUDY The time of the judges continued after the death of Ehud. The Israelites fell into a continuous cycle of sin, bondage, deliverance, and peace. The people of Israel were oppressed by the king of Canaan. At this time, Deborah was the judge of Israel. Deborah sent for Barak and encouraged him to take up an army and fight the army of Canaan and its leader, Sisera. Deborah reminded Barak that God would hand Sisera and his troops over to him. (Judges 4:6-7) Barak agreed to go under one condition: that Deborah would go with him. Deborah went, but she informed Barak that he would get no glory for the battle; God was going to use a woman to defeat Sisera. When Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men, “The LORD threw Sisera and all his army into confusion with the sword before Barak” (Judges 4:15). Everyone in the army died, but Sisera escaped on foot. Sisera fled to the tent of Jael, who invited him inside and gave him a drink. While Sisera slept, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple and he died. Judges 5 records a victory song Deborah and Barak sang on that day, praising God for defeating the Canaanites. The land had rest for 40 years. The Israelites’ sin had resulted in 20 years of defeat. God fought for the Israelites and used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to accomplish the Israelites’ victory over Canaan.
    [Show full text]
  • 5F6256cc021bd4446c515023 T
    Lesson 70 TEXT Judges 4:4-15 SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURES Judges 4:1-3,16-24; 5:1-31; Psalm 3:6 OBJECTIVE The students will be able to explain why it is true that “if God be for us, who can be against us?” KEY VERSE FOR ANSWER Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid. — Isaiah 12:2 KEY VERSE FOR SEARCH Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. — Isaiah 12:2 ANSWER TITLE: Win the Victory SEARCH TITLE: Deborah REFERENCE INFORMATION After Joshua’s death in about 1426 B.C., God himself the river is watered from the springs at the base of Mount was the direct ruler of the twelve tribes, but the people Carmel and from streams of the northeast that enter the kept turning away from God and going into idolatry. God Kishon in the plain of Acre. In the rainy season this river appointed a total of fifteen judges to rule the Israelites at becomes swollen and very dangerous (Judges 5:21). different times, Deborah being one of them. Her name It is possible that the iron chariots of the Canaanites means “a bee.” She was called “a mother in Israel” became mired in the mud and had to be abandoned, for (Judges 5:7). She was the fourth judge, and she judged we read, “Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled Israel for forty years. Deborah was married to Lapidoth away on his feet” (Judges 4:15).
    [Show full text]
  • The Waters of Merom
    50 THE WATERS OF MEROM. wall. But why not repair all the walls if there were workers enough 1 Owing to the pr•wious building of the enclosing wall of the Temple, N ehemiah's wall, as I draw it, is pushed so far weRt as to be at one part very little above the valley bed ; and Mr. Birch ridicules this. But it is to be observed that even this part of the wall is at no lower level than the wall of Ophel, discovered by Warren. A wall in such a position was the best that the circumstances of the locality admitted of, and was better than none. It could not be reached unless the transverse wall were taken first. Its position could scarcely be weaker than that of the north-west wall of the city, which actually has higher ground outside. Mr. Birch's alternative is a wall carried from the south-west hill, round Siloam, to the eastern side of Ophel ; and this necessarily crosses the valley, and at a much lower level than the wall in my plan. Finally, may I say that I have drawn a definite line of wall, and have c·>rrelated it at many parts of its course with points in N ehemiah's description ; the argument is cumulative, and is not answered if one or two details be shown to be doubtful. Mr. Birch has not drawn his W>tll definitely, and could not make any wall going down to Siloam to tally with N ehemiah's descriptions. The Ophel wall actually discovered has no uRe on his theory, and apparently ought never to have been ,built.
    [Show full text]